Well, girls and boys,
it really has been a long time since I last posted. Seven... eight
weeks, maybe? I can only apologise for this online absence, and
attempt to fill you all in on what's been happening here.
One major thing, is
that we had a team come down from the US. The team consisted of 11
people, including 3 doctors, from Jacksonville, Florida. This was an
interesting experience for me, to view an even stronger clash of
cultures than my own. The team were mostly very well off financially,
so to see them working in some of the poorest areas of Lima was
intriguing. I must admit, I have previously struggled with the idea
of such affluence, and had to deal with my own prejudices and
preconceptions about those with access to so much wealth. I did,
though, get on fabulously with a lot of the team, and had a great
time getting to know them all. It was a very odd week for me though,
as my work-load decreased rapidly as the week went on and the team
grew more accustomed to what was required.
On the subject of our
North American cousins, I've been thinking recently about my cultural
experience here in Peru. As is often the case with people in my
position, I feel myself split between cultures, neither fully here
nor fully there, so to speak. What makes this even stronger is the
fact that I find myself caught between three cultures (Peruvian,
British and North American), given that I work and socialise with
North Americans. It is often the clashes with the American culture
that throw me out of kilter the most. Not because there are bigger
difference, but because I expect the other gringos
to act and think the same as I do, we even speak the same language.
So when this is not the case, it knocks me back, and I have to
remember that we are not one culture.
And
so, I rejoice in the opportunity to be British every now and then.
One such opportunity was the Queen's Jubilee. I'm sure all you Brits
reading this had some kind of do. Well here in Peru, I was invited to
the bishop's house for a Jubilee celebration, complete with trifle,
scones and even marmite. As I near the end of my time here, I've
finally realised that I was always destined to be in some kind of
limbo between cultures, but this is the plight of the traveller, and
it is all one can do to find a balance that works.
So
what else have I been up to... Well, of course, it was my birthday
last month. I was given a small do, but this, coupled with other
family birthdays, anniversaries and father's day, led me to miss home
quite a lot over the course of the last month. I was quite happy that
I managed to make it that long without missing home too much, and I
seem to be out of it now. I have to remind myself sometimes that it's
probably normal, when you leave almost everything and everyone you
know for 6 months.
Anyway,
enough of my sentimental waffle, down to work. Following the campaign
with the team, we've finished the checks for the compassion projects,
and have been able to expand the ministry here. There is a dentist
who has given up his time to do a couple of dental campaigns, and
Townsend is starting to make links with the eye hospital, as well as
being helped out by some cardiologists.
This
is, in fact, a fascinating story. A number of weeks ago, Dr Cooper
found a heart issue in a young boy. It turns out that the boy had
been diagnosed with a serious heart defect many years ago, but his
mother was too scared (and probably lacked money) to do anything
about it. This child needed to see a cardiologist soon, to the point
where his life could be in danger. That very day, Dr C had to take
himself to the hospital, due to a recurrence of an existing condition
(he's absolutely fine, by the way), and was casually chatting to his
doctor about this odd case. Long story short, the cardiologist
offered to see the child for free, and through various connections
the boy is getting the evaluation, and soon the treatment, that he so
desperately needs.
And
that brings up more or less up to date. Looking forward, tomorrow
we're off to Arequipa (14 hour bus) for a week to work there, and
we'll be off to Ica soon as well. I hope to get over to Machu Picchu
between-times but it's still not certain.
So
some prayer requests:
- For our safety travelling over the next month or so
- For continued determination in my last few weeks here
- For Townsend; his wife, Dawn; and their children, Lucie and Lily. As they complete their first year in Peru.
Well
God bless you all
From
Lima with love
B
